The Red Cross Society traces its origins back to the mid-1860s when a group of people in Switzerland studied the possibility of protecting the wounded during times of conflict.  During August of 1864, the Swiss government officially recognized the Red Cross. 

Throughout its existence, the Red Cross has been comprised of three parts.   

First – the self-governing National Red Cross Societies are the most commonly known aspect of the Red Cross.  These groups are all volunteer-based and, while they deal mainly with problems in their home countries and regions, they also participate in international work when needed. 

Second – the League of Red Cross Societies is a worldwide federation that maintains relations with each of the National Red Cross Societies.  This international group coordinates communications between the national groups when disaster strikes and the national groups need to respond together. 

Third – the International Committee of the Red Cross [ICRC].  This small committee does a lot of directing, supplying, delegating, and arranges peacekeeping missions.  They are also in charge of determining and recognizing new Red Cross Societies. 

While the symbol of a cross has positive associations in many cultures, this is not the case everywhere.  For example, some countries in the Middle East associate it with the attacks of the crusaders in centuries past.  In recognition of this troubled history, a crescent - a symbol with positive associations in the Islamic faith - was officially approved as an additional emblem for the organization in 1929.  The organization operates as The Red Crescent in many Muslim countries. 

The organization has recently approved the use of a third symbol, a red crystal. This diamond-shaped emblem is designed to be easily recognizable, and is not linked to any particular religion.  It is hoped that the new symbol will quickly become recognized throughout the world and will allow the ICRC to safely provide its all-important aid across the globe. 

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